Walthamstow born Paul Chamberlain lost his cherry to rock in 1973 when he heard Alan (Fluff) Freeman play Hendrix's 'Star Spangled Banner' one Saturday afternoon.
At a impressionable 14 years of age, a flirtation with progressive rock followed, particularly with 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer', 'King Crimson' 'Pink Floyd' and 'Yes', until a year later a school friend played Paul 'Burn', the new album from Deep Purple, and since then his passion for hard rock has been undiminished.
After leaving school, Paul spent many years working in the photographic industry by day, and in clubs, pubs, and larger venues in and around London by night.
He even roadied briefly for a Leeds based all-female new wave band.
In the early eighties Paul chanced upon a North London radio station and, after being invited to look around, was duped into making a demo that was broadcast that weekend. He was invited to join the team.
A few months later, Paul joined an Essex based station and met Steve Price. A huge friendship and mutual crusade of rock music 'Southern' ensued. Paul also ran his own project as well.
By the early nineties, Paul had decided to quit while ahead and moved to the Essex coast, completely abandoning his phototographic career along with all things rock, and changed to social care.
In 2002, Paul moved back to the family home in Chingford and still works with adults and children with special needs. He also studied -and is now qualified - as a publishing editor, which will be handy if Paul writes his memoirs.
Paul cites his musical influences are far and wide, but if pressed, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, Blackfoot, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Deep Purple and RUSH.
"I was involved in Rock radio in the 80's but must admit I'd gone into self imposed DJ hibernation for the past 15 years or so" laughs Paul. "That was until Steve Price called me up and persuaded me to join him on this new Rock radio venture called ARfm. Since then the missus hasn't seen me for heaps of vinyl records and dodgy air guitar playing, but I must admit it's been a blast dusting down all the old classics."
Paul Chamberlain is a welcome addition to the ARfm team with his knowledge and enthusiasm for all things Rock and Heavy Metal. "My era is really the late 70's and early 80's but I like to mix a bit of everything into the show, from Y&T to Metallica."
Tune into Paul Chamberlain every Saturday afternoon for the finest in Hard Rock, Classic Rock, Southern Rock, NWOBHM and more. "I have a couple of special spots in the show like a back a back live section and a Southern segue, and I also like to dig out rare or slightly more obscure recordings that you wouldn't hear elsewhere. I hope the listener's will enjoy what I'm doing but requests are always very welcome too, so please do get involved."
You can also join Paul & April every Sunday morning
from 8:00 am for the Greasy Spoon Breakfast for music, a look back at the
week and much more!
Paul
Chamberlain's MySpace Page
